Gabriella Igbinedion, PDP candidate for Ovia Federal Constituency, Edo State, and daughter of the Esama of Benin Kingdom, Gabriel Igbinedion, speaks with Special Correspondent, TITUS OISE, on her involvement in politics and chances in February election.
Coercion of delegates at the primary
Nobody was coerced. The conduct of the primary was something that was unanimously decided by all the stakeholders at the constituency, including the delegates. The delegates gave me the ticket because they believed that I was credible, trustworthy and able to represent them. It was on that note that all the delegates decided and came to a conclusion that they’re all going to vote in my favour because they needed a representative that can represent their interest. So, I am grateful to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for being able to conduct a successful and peaceful primary, though there might be possibly one or two incidences of opposition from aggrieved persons, but in the spirit of oneness, we were able to come together and accept the outcome of the exercise.
I want to congratulate all the aspirants that were in the race for also putting in their best. I thank God, too, for having a very supporting family structure because that has also gone a long way in helping me get where I have gone to right now. I am looking forward to the general elections, and I know I have supporters across all political parties. I have a lot of support and people from other political parties that are willing to come and key into my election.
That, to me, is something I could not probably buy with any amount. But I have just been favoured. So, I really do not see any element of coercion or duress during the primary election. But I would like all the other aspirants to work together with me because we’re all one big family. Each of these individual aspirants that vied for this position told me that their journey started in my father’s house. Friday Edosa from Okada is my cousin; he is a relation to my father. He went to my father for blessing. Kelvin Aigbe also went to my father for blessing. Etiosa Onaiwu, another aspirant, was taken to see my father by his elder brother for blessing. The three of them were all blessed by my father to contest the primary.
So, when I, his daughter, came, he didn’t tell me to go ahead. After much talking, my father was quite shocked. He is normally the one to say ‘you go for this’ or ‘why not try this?’ But my decision to take a shot at politics is somehow different to him. My father knows me to be very independent. He was really taken aback and discussed it with my mother. My mother asked me whether I was sure I could take the heat of politics and I said certainly I could; that I was ready to go for it and reach the finishing line, not only to reach the finishing line but to be a winner.
Petitions from losers and efforts to pacify them
Frankly speaking, I am not aware of any petition. But if there is, I will oblige to appeal to them not to be aggrieved, that they are all my brothers and in one way or another, we have come along this journey together and we have had the spirit of oneness so far, and I will like us to maintain that throughout on to the general elections.
I will definitely be paying them a visit to appeal to them as well for their support, and it is important and it will gladden my heart to know that I need their support.
Agenda for the constituency, especially in the area of empowerment
My major priority to my people, when elected, will be to lobby and galvanise the federal government to make Ovia Federal Constituency a centre of excellence. I intend to empower the people economically through the creation of job opportunities by attracting small and medium scale industries to the constituency. I will particularly pay attention to the plight of women in the constituency who are disadvantaged in the pursuit of education, employment, dignifying means of livelihood, especially those who suffer discrimination on the basis of gender or from traditional/cultural encumbrances, granting of soft loans to women and other vulnerable members of the society to enhance their livelihood.
I will also ensure that children of school age are provided with free books and uniform and ensure that the school environment is conducive to learning, and that our children who attend these schools benefit in character. As a representative of the people, farmers in the constituency will be adequately provided with farming implements and financial assistance. Network of roads in every community will be well rehabilitated and made motorable to minimise inconveniences and hardship suffered by commuters and to facilitate the evacuation of agricultural produce from their farms to the markets. Also, in the agenda is to promote peace, understanding and good health habits among the people of the constituency.
Message to the electorate
As we’re going into the campaign proper, my message to the people of the constituency will be that they are for the first time going to experience the dividends of democracy, effective and qualitative representation. I want to urge the electorate in the constituency to definitely put their trust in me because I am a very trustworthy candidate that will represent their interest at the federal legislative chambers.
